Objective: In preparation for investigating burnout among general practitioners internationally, we examined the validity and reliability of an instrument called the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).
Method: Twenty-four members from 16 European countries who attended the European General Practice Workshop in Gdansk, Poland (Autumn, 2001) were mailed a draft version of the MBI, and asked to administer it to a small group of family physicians.
Conclusion: This pilot study suggests the MBI scale is reliable and valid. We believe it of use in identifying GPs at risk of, or already experiencing, burnout.